This is another welcome contribution from the Reverend Jan Ashton.
I would warmly welcome other guest contributions by email to stephen.cherry@durham.anglican.org . Also, offers to write sermon starters for a period of, say, a month or six weeks would be great
Gospel Passage John 10:1-10
Need to Know
- The first five verses are so easy to understand. Why did ‘they … not understand what he was saying to them’?
- How do you picture this gate: as a kissing gate, a barred gate, a security gate?
- Who is the gatekeeper? If Jesus is the gate, who is the shepherd? Any mileage for some Trinitarian theology?
Need to Challenge
- What does this shepherd’s voice sound like? (‘they know his voice’)
- How might this abundant life be experienced?
- Who are the bandits and the thieves not entering through the gate?
Need to Comfort
- The shepherd knows every sheep’s name? What name might he/she call you?
- The wolves are outside. You’re behind the gate. How good is this gate?
- It sounds as if finding pasture is guaranteed. Do we trust this shepherd?